Saturday, August 09, 2008

Paterson just signed a bill to expand Disability Benefit Eligibility to additional participants in World Trade Center rescue and recovery. This law will improve patient safety by giving the public more info, strengthening oversight of physicians and enhancing infection control measures.

This was part of a large package of bills which will improve education and health care programs for New Yorkers and spur economic development through support of small businesses and regulatory reform.

One which clarifies and strengthens the authority of the Board for Professional Medical Conduct to discipline physicians. State Senator Hannon and Assembly Gottfried sponsored the bills in their respective houses with the Governor eager to sign it.

He signed another bill to expand eligibility for disability benefits to participants in World Trade Center rescue, recovery and clean-up; Sponsored by Senator Golden (pictured left) and Assembly Speaker Silver. (pictured right) Thank you to the members of both houses for seeing the value of these two measures.

Taken right from the AP: “We have a profound responsibility to provide those who participated in the rescue, recovery and clean-up efforts in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 with the benefits they deserve,” said Governor Paterson. “It is imperative that we continue to provide those workers who face health consequences from their work at Ground Zero with the very best care and the opportunity to apply for disability benefits.”

“We also have a responsibility to better protect patients in New York. Strengthening the disciplinary system for physicians and giving the public more information, combined with enhancing infection control measures, is vital to the safety of all of our citizens,” added Paterson.